Hidden London

Finding hidden gems and mixing history with innovation was the theme of our recent Mum and Daughter trip to London.

We arrived having taken the train directly from our hometown to London. Although a journey of just over 5 hours, the time flies by with such lovely scenery. Following the coast in Scotland then heading through the cities of Newcastle, Durham (the train doesn’t stop here but you do get a glimpse of the lovely Cathedral) Darlington and York before heading straight to Kings Cross.

For family visiting reasons we were staying in The City of London, not necessarily where you would think of staying with leisure in mind, however this location offered a number of hidden gems.

The City of London, stretching from Fleet Street / Chancery Lane in the West; Barbican / Liverpool Street to the North and Tower Hill in the East, covers roughly the same area of the ancient Roman city of Londinium. These links can be seen today by visiting the London Mithraeum (free entry) which sees the Roman Temple of Mithas returned to its location of discovery – the European Headquarters of Bloomberg. Or visit Cleary Garden, just a little bit further along the road, the site of a former Roman Bathhouse.

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St Paul’s Cathedral – Reflection Garden

One of London’s iconic landmarks St Paul’s Cathedral, sits in the City of London. Views of the cathedral can be enjoyed from various locations, but two worthy of note are the Reflection Garden situated on Canon Street just across the road. If you are lucky enough to have no breeze the reflection makes for a stunning picture and serene experience. The second recommended viewpoint is from the Millennium Bridge. Having walked past Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the south side of the river, heading back North over the bridge gives unrivalled views. Our theme of hidden London continues – make sure you also look down when you are walking over the bridge to see some of the chewing gum art by artist Ben Wilson.

London St Pauls Millennium Bridge and Globe

A visit to Borough Market is a must. This market has been around for over 1,000 years, today it is run by a charitable trust for the benefit of the community, with a mission to show food can be made and sold in ways that are better for people and the planet. And check out Fruiterers Passage walkway underneath Southwark Bridge. This beautifully ornate passageway takes you back in time and is worth a look.

London Borough Market Fruiterers

Switching from historic visitor attractions to modern-day technology, our visit to Frameless was thoroughly enjoyed. Just minutes from Marble Arch, this multi-sensory immersive art experience offers 4 galleries and 42 masterpieces reimagined. Each gallery gives a different experience combined with a stunning musical score. We spent over 1.5 hrs here enjoying the galleries at our own pace.

London Blog Frameless and ABBA

Continuing with technology we headed to the incredible show that is ABBA Voyage. Held in a purpose-built venue to the Northeast of the city (only 30 mins on the Tube and DLR from our hotel in The City of London, door to door) this show blends cutting-edge technology, spectacular lighting and some of the most beloved songs from this Swedish band. The show itself is absolutely worthy of a visit (and easily multiple visits!) however a standout here was the ability to cater to dietary requirements. While in the Oceanbird Lounge, and having contacted the catering team a few weeks in advance of arriving, we were blown away with the food platter made especially to cater for coeliac disease. Dietary requirements can often be a secondary thought for venues and restaurants, but not here. Coupled with the superb customer service from the team, this took the experience to a whole new level.

The Visitors ABBA Voyage Photo by Johan Persson 1
The Visitors, ABBA Voyage – Photo by Johan Persson

For those who are looking at the images and wondering why there are so few people in the pictures for being in the middle of a city during the busiest time and how can you enjoy visiting these busy landmarks without the crowds, just get out early. These photos were taken between 8.15 and 9.30 on a Saturday and Sunday morning. A great way to experience a city break!

Here at Best of Scotland Holidays, we have over 40 years’ experience crafting tailor-made holidays to the UK and Ireland for our clients. If you’d like to incorporate a visit to the Capital and explore some of these hidden gems, contact us today with your requirements and we will put together a bespoke itinerary for yoy!

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